What this medicine is used for

The name of your medicine is Blooms The Chemist Celecoxib. It contains the active ingredient celecoxib.

It is used to treat:

osteoarthritis,

rheumatoid arthritis

ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder that primarily affects, but is not limited to, the spine.

Celecoxib also provides short term pain relief in conditions such as:

menstrual cramps or period pain

after surgery

muscle and joint injuries.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

How it works

Celecoxib belongs to a group of medicines called NSAIDs which are used to relieve pain and inflammation in a number of conditions.

There is no evidence that this medication is addictive.

Use in children

This medicine should not be used in children or adolescents under 18 years of age.

Before you take this medicine

When you must not take it

Do not take this medicine if you have or have had any of the following:

severe heart disease

blood vessel disease affecting the circulation in your brain or limbs

severe liver problems

recently undergone a coronary artery bypass graft

peptic ulceration or gastric intestinal bleeding

severe kidney problems

an attack of asthma, hives, itching, skin rash or a runny nose after taking Aspirin or other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including other Coxib medicines.

You are taking any other NSAIDs

You are hypersensitive to, or have had an allergic reaction to, celecoxib, any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet or sulfonamides, a group of medicines which include certain antibiotics (if you are not sure if you are taking one of these medicines ask your doctor or pharmacist).

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin; fainting; or hay fever-like symptoms.

If you think you are having an allergic reaction, do not take any more of the medicine and contact your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at the nearest hospital.

The expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.

The packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering or it does not look quite right.

Before you start to take it

Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor if:

1.You have allergies to:

any other medicines

any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

2.You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:

diabetes

high blood pressure or fluid retention

high cholesterol levels

heart failure

history of heart problems or stroke

circulation problems in your limbs

liver or kidney problems

asthma, hives, itching, skin rash or runny nose

peptic ulcer

vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

bleeding from the rectum, have black sticky bowel motions or bloody diarrhoea

low blood count

inflammatory bowel disease

infection.

3.You are currently pregnant or you plan to become pregnant. Do not take this medicine whilst pregnant until you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.

NSAIDs, which are related medicines, have been associated with reversible infertility in some women.

4.You are currently breastfeeding or you plan to breastfeed. Do not take this medicine whilst breastfeeding until you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.

5.You drink large amounts of alcohol

6.You are a smoker

7.You are planning to have surgery.

8.You are currently receiving or are planning to receive dental treatment.

9.You are taking or are planning to take any other medicines. This includes vitamins and supplements that are available from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interact with celecoxib. These include:

medicines to treat high blood pressure and some other heart problems such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, beta-blockers and diuretics (also called fluid or water tablets)

frusemide and thalizides, types of diuretics

aspirin

metoprolol, a beta-blocker used for heart conditions, high blood pressure and migraines

The recommended dose is 400 mg as a single dose on the first day and 200 mg once daily on the following days. The maximum recommended treatment duration is 5 days.

Muscle and joint injuries or after surgery

The recommended dose is 400 mg as a first dose followed by 200 mg once or twice daily as required for up to 5 days.

How to take it

Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of fluid.

When to take it

Take this medicine at the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect and will also help you remember when to take it.

This medicine can be taken with or without food.

How long to take it for

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

Make sure you have enough of this medicine to last over weekends and holidays.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.

This may increase the chance of you experiencing side effects.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints to help you remember.

If you take too much (overdose)

If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (Tel: 13 11 26 in Australia) for advice. Alternatively, go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

Signs of an overdose with celecoxib may include:

nausea and/or vomiting

headache

drowsiness/tiredness

difficulty in breathing

impaired consciousness

kidney failure.

While you are taking this medicine

Things you must do

Tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine if:

you are about to be started on any new medicine

you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant

you are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

you are about to have any blood tests

you are going to have surgery or are going into hospital.

Your doctor may occasionally do tests to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent side effects. Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you take this medicine.

Things you must not do

Do not:

Give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.

Take your medicine to treat any other condition unless your doctor tells you to.

Stop taking your medicine, or change the dosage, without first checking with your doctor.

Things to be careful of

Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

Possible side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking celecoxib or if you have any questions or concerns.

Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following.

stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, wind, nausea

back pain, swollen hands, ankles and feet, unexplained weight gain

dizziness

sore throat, runny nose, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection

skin rash

difficulty sleeping.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following.

These may be serious side effects and you may need urgent medical attention.

blistering and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals

swelling, blistering or peeling of the skin, which may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, sore throat, diarrhoea, aching joints and muscles

Allergic reactions

If you think you are having an allergic reaction to celecoxib, do not take any more of this medicine and tell your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include some or all of the following:

shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing

swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body

rash, itching or hives on the skin

fainting

hay fever-like symptoms.

Storage and disposal

Storage

Keep your medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take it.

If you take your medicine out of its original packaging it may not keep well.

Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature will stay below 25°C.

Do not store your medicine, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or it has passed its expiry date, your pharmacist can dispose of the remaining medicine safely.